Asian Tour member Kazuki Higa claimed his first title on the Japan Golf Tour in three years after winning the HANDA Explosion in the Summer tournament at the weekend, at Gozensui Golf Club.

He made a brilliant eagle to win on the second hole of a sudden-death play-off against fellow Japanese golfer Ren Yonezawa.

Higa had forced the play-off after making birdie on the 18th to tie Yonezawa, playing in the group ahead, on 30-under. The winner closed with seven-under-par 65, while Yonezawa returned 64 – helped by three birdies in the last four holes.

“It’s been a long time since I won; I had been struggling. On top of that, my caddie is a childhood friend, and one of my dreams was to win together with him. All of that emotion hit me at once,” said Higa, who is currently in eighth place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

“I’ve been chasing opportunities in Europe and Asia instead of focusing solely on Japan. I tried to make the most of every chance, but results didn’t come. There were times I felt broken, but I told myself I had to carry on. To finally win again gives me so much confidence and happiness.”

It is his seventh victory in Japan and puts him back on track on home soil. In 2022, he made headlines when he was victorious on four occasions and secured the money list title.

He tied for second in this year’s New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport for his second best performance on the Asian Tour. His finest result came at the Shinhan Donghae Open in 2022, an event he won.